Published: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:21 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:21 p.m.

Brothers Jason Stokes, 35, and Aaron Stokes, 33, recently bought and remodeled the old Crazy Cuban Cafe in Lake Wales, reopening it as The Downtown Deli on Monday.

"It was one of those deals where we just decided to do it," Aaron Stokes said.

The former restaurant had been closed for five months during the summer, he said.

When he and his brother learned it was for sale, they thought about it for two weeks, then bought it.

They have spent the past two months cleaning up what was left behind and refurbishing the place with fresh floor tile, interior paint and new equipment, Aaron Stokes said.

"I think it will go good. It looks completely different," he said.

Jason Stokes said they hope to create a New-York-style deli for the walk-to-lunch crowd in the Lake Wales historic downtown district around Center Street and Park and Stuart avenues — approximately a quarter-mile to half-mile radius.

Drivers are welcome, too, he said.

He said he thought about how far he would walk for a lunch, then catered to the 300 employees in shops and professional offices downtown.

The demand is there, Aaron Stokes said. Six people walked in for lunch on Wednesday, thinking the Deli had opened already.

Another three visited Friday morning, he said.

Regulars will notice the difference: Checkerboard floor, tan and green walls, and no aquarium or shelf full of knickknacks by the booths.

They did save the countertop and booths and added counter seating.

The building is fire rated for 42 people, Jason Stokes said, but they make the seating a roomy 36.

"We knew we couldn't make it look new," he said, "but we wanted to make it neat and clean."

Above the counter is a painted chalkboard with a handwritten menu, including a kids' menu.

Desserts aren't listed, but Jason Stokes said people need to ask about their fresh-baked dessert specials.

Aaron Stokes said they wanted to make the meals between $8 and $12, so customers can get a deli sandwich, drink and bag of chips for about $10.

Jason's girlfriend, Diana Sapp, said they had to keep prices reasonable because people in downtown Lake Wales do have fast-food options.

She calls herself their "inner voice" on cost and efficiency. The brothers call her their "chief financial officer."

She said Gainesville had two or three good neighborhood delis.

Jason Stokes also said, according to his research, that the local Publix Super Market sells 200 sandwiches per day.

"You have to compete, but you have to keep the doors open," he said. "There is a lot more to opening a restaurant than ordering up some meats and making sandwiches."

When asked if they will do delivery also, Jason Stokes said that's a possibility after a while.

"If it's cost-effective," Sapp said.

Serving hours for the restaurant at 120 Park Ave. are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Payment is by cash or card.

Takeout is available. Call 863-949-0123, email downtowndelilw@gmail.com or find it on Facebook at "The Down Town Deli."

[ Phil Attinger may be reached at 863-401-6981 or phil.attinger@newschief.com. ]

<p>LAKE WALES | While Black Friday shoppers tracked down deals, the Stokes brothers unpacked Black Forest ham — along with other meats and cheeses.</p><p>Brothers Jason Stokes, 35, and Aaron Stokes, 33, recently bought and remodeled the old Crazy Cuban Cafe in Lake Wales, reopening it as The Downtown Deli on Monday.</p><p>"It was one of those deals where we just decided to do it," Aaron Stokes said.</p><p>The former restaurant had been closed for five months during the summer, he said.</p><p>When he and his brother learned it was for sale, they thought about it for two weeks, then bought it.</p><p>They have spent the past two months cleaning up what was left behind and refurbishing the place with fresh floor tile, interior paint and new equipment, Aaron Stokes said.</p><p>"I think it will go good. It looks completely different," he said.</p><p>Jason Stokes said they hope to create a New-York-style deli for the walk-to-lunch crowd in the Lake Wales historic downtown district around Center Street and Park and Stuart avenues — approximately a quarter-mile to half-mile radius.</p><p>Drivers are welcome, too, he said.</p><p>He said he thought about how far he would walk for a lunch, then catered to the 300 employees in shops and professional offices downtown.</p><p>The demand is there, Aaron Stokes said. Six people walked in for lunch on Wednesday, thinking the Deli had opened already.</p><p>Another three visited Friday morning, he said.</p><p>Regulars will notice the difference: Checkerboard floor, tan and green walls, and no aquarium or shelf full of knickknacks by the booths.</p><p>They did save the countertop and booths and added counter seating.</p><p>The building is fire rated for 42 people, Jason Stokes said, but they make the seating a roomy 36.</p><p>"We knew we couldn't make it look new," he said, "but we wanted to make it neat and clean."</p><p>Above the counter is a painted chalkboard with a handwritten menu, including a kids' menu.</p><p>Desserts aren't listed, but Jason Stokes said people need to ask about their fresh-baked dessert specials.</p><p>Aaron Stokes said they wanted to make the meals between $8 and $12, so customers can get a deli sandwich, drink and bag of chips for about $10.</p><p>Jason's girlfriend, Diana Sapp, said they had to keep prices reasonable because people in downtown Lake Wales do have fast-food options.</p><p>She calls herself their "inner voice" on cost and efficiency. The brothers call her their "chief financial officer."</p><p>She said Gainesville had two or three good neighborhood delis.</p><p>Jason Stokes also said, according to his research, that the local Publix Super Market sells 200 sandwiches per day.</p><p>"You have to compete, but you have to keep the doors open," he said. "There is a lot more to opening a restaurant than ordering up some meats and making sandwiches."</p><p>When asked if they will do delivery also, Jason Stokes said that's a possibility after a while. </p><p>"If it's cost-effective," Sapp said.</p><p>Serving hours for the restaurant at 120 Park Ave. are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Payment is by cash or card.</p><p>Takeout is available. Call 863-949-0123, email downtowndelilw@gmail.com or find it on Facebook at "The Down Town Deli."</p><p>[ Phil Attinger may be reached at 863-401-6981 or phil.attinger@newschief.com. ]</p>